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When selecting paints, remember that most will resist cracking, peeling, mold, and mildew. Who does the painting—and how well they do it—is more important than what’s in the bucket.

To help you find a pro who will do the job right, our Ratings Tables list ratings and comments from local consumers on painting outfits they’ve used.

Many people do their own painting, but you’ll probably want to hire an expert if you’re putting a few coats on every room or the exterior of a house two stories or higher. And if your home was built before the 1978 lead paint ban, you’ll want a pro to deal with that.

When selecting paint, or working with a contractor to select paint, first check the Consumer Reports paint ratings. In its tests, some relatively inexpensive paints performed better than more expensive paints and cost $10 to $20 less per gallon.

To choose a contractor, have several candidates inspect the job and provide proposals. After you compare proposals and prices—you’ll likely find huge price differences for the same job—have the contractor you choose put everything in writing. The contract should include prep work; specifics on paint brand and color; number of coats; and a full description of the work, including frequently omitted items such as cabinet interiors and shutters.

Painters Articles

A good painting contractor will produce better results than most DIYers—and finish faster. But because they don't have to pay for their own labor, lots of homeowners grab rollers and brushes. Before taking the painting plunge, consider the following.

The many categories and finishes of each type of paint can create confusion, and the buzzwords used by manufacturers can make it tough to figure out what’s in the can and where to use it. Here are some key points to consider when you select paint.

Most paint manufacturers produce hues by the thousands, not dozens (Benjamin Moore alone sells more than 3,500 shades). So when you’re redoing a room—or spiffing up the exterior of your house—how do you choose?...

Unlike other trades, you don’t need a license, special training, or a truck full of tools to paint one room or an entire house. But who does the painting can have a dramatic effect on how well the job is done—and how much you’ll pay for it.

On painting projects that last more than a few days there are things you can do to help the job run smoothly, finish on time, and produce the best possible results. And there are some classic mistakes that can get in the way.

Repainting is more than redecoration. Modern paints are formulated to withstand severe swings in temperature and resist fading, shrinking, cracking, and peeling. But you’ll get good results only if the job is done well. Here are some tips.

Compared to chainsaws and nail guns, brushes and rollers pose little danger. Paints and solvents are different. And with increasing awareness of environmental and health issues, two components in particular have drawn attention: lead and VOCs.